Improvement in masts and sails of vessels



l. W. NURCRSS.

Masts and Sails nf Vessels. `N0.163,9'40. Pa:en1ed1une1,1875.

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` Witnesses Inventor: M x Z %17////;fm

` 2Sheets--She'et2. l. W. NRCRSS'.

Masts and Sails of Vessels. N0.|6.3,940. y Patntedlunehj.

THE GRAPHIC C0.P|i0T0rLITH.39l41 PARK R STATES PATENT CEEICE JOSEPH W.NOROROSS, OF EAST BOSTON, MASSACHUSETTS.

.IMPROVEMENT IN MASTS AND SAILS OF VESSELS.

Specification forming part of Letters Patent No. 163,940, dated June 1,1875 application led November 13, 1874.

To all whom it may concern Be it known that I, JOSEPH W. Noncaoss, ofEast Boston, in the county of Suffolk and State of Massachusetts, haveinvented a certain new and useful Improvement in the Masts and Sails ofVessels, of which the following is a specification:

This invention is illustrated in the accompanying drawing, in whichFigure l represents a side view. Fig. 2 is a transverse section.

Similar ietters indicate corresponding parts.

This invention consists in a mast composed of two or more timbers, incombination with a platform which revolves in or on the deck of avessel, and with a cap, which unites the tops of the timbers. On saidrevolving platform. is secured a lug, which forms the support and guidefor the boom of a sail, either the boom-or the platform being mademovable fore and aft for the purpose of regulating the sail-balancewithout changing the sail. The motion of the boom takes place in the arcof a circle described from the center of the cap of the mast whichsupports the block for the halyard of the sail, so that said halyarddoes not interfere with the fore-and-aft motion of the boom. Said boomis provided with a groove in its upper edge, which forms the guide forthe boom of an outrigged aftsail, and allows of drawing the aftsail-boomin or out as the effective surface of the sails is to be decreased orincreased. With the mainboom is connected a sheer-boom of an out.

rigged foresail.

In the drawing, the letter A designates the hull of my vessel, and B isthe mast, which, in the example shown in the drawing, is constructed offour timbers that rise from a platform, O, and are connected at theirtops by a common cap, D. Both the platform and the cap might be made inthe form of a cross without changing the result. The platform O revolvesin a socket formed for its reception in the deck, and from said platformrises a lug, E, through which extends a pivot, F, that forms the guidefor the boom Gr, said boom being provided with slots, which straddle thepivot, so that the boom can be moved fore and aft, or across theplatform C. If desired, however, the boom can be firmly connected to theplatform, and the platform can be so arranged that it, 'together withthe mast and the boom, can be moved fore and aft. The guide-slots in theboom Gr form portions of a circle described from the center of the capD, and to the forward end of said boom is pivoted the gaff H, which israised or lowered by the halyard I, the sail Vbeing secured to the boomand the gatf, so that by raising said gaff the sail is stretched. Thehalyard I extends through the center of the cap D, and its end isfastened to a cleat or other device secured to the platform O. By thisarrangement the halyard does not interfere with the motion of the boom,and by moving the boom and the sail fore and aft I am enabled toadjustthe sail -balance without changing any sails.

The advantage of this arrangement will be readilyr appreciated bysailors, and requires no further explanation. The mast of my vessel,being composed of four timbers, is not liable to vibrate or to snap.There are always two timbers on the lee side, and two to Windward, theformer acting as braces, and the latter as shrouds.

The boom G is provided at its upper edge with a groove, t, Fig. 2, forthe reception of the boom J, Fig. l, of an outrigged aftsail, K. At ornear the forward end of the boom Gr is a stop, u, for the reception ofthe boom L of an outrigged foresail, M, the connection being of such anature that the boom L acts as a sheer-boom7 allowing the same to beadjusted at any desired inclination.

In the vessel represented bythe drawing I have shown two center-boards,N O, the forward one of which is so arranged that it in reality takesthe place of two distinct centerboards. By lifting the back end anddropping the forward end a forward keel is obtained, and by reversing ita center keel is produced.

The center-board O formsa movable aft-keel,

and it takes the place of the keel and the rudder 5 but, if desired, anordinary rudder may be used, together with this center-board.

The operation of laying-to a vessel is usually effected by oppositepressure of the windt'. e., the head-sail is set so as to cause the bowto fall oft' from the wind 5 the aftsail is set atan angle to take thewind on the other side. This method answers the purposeas long as theforce of the wind does not exceed the strength of the sail; but as soonas it is more than the sail can bear it tears or bursts the sail, andthen the vessel is left to the mercy of the wind.

Laying-to with my new vessel is on entirely different principles, andobviates in a great measure excessive pressure. It is done in thefollowing manner: The center keel is put down. Then the sail is hauledback, so that the sailbalancc is back of the center, and it is thensecured, the boom being in the line of the vessel. The after-keel israised, and the effect is that the vessel falls off a small degree, butit is immediately checked by the aft part of the sail, and she falls offon the other side, and in this manner she describes small arcs of acircle.` It is obvious that the strain which does this work comes uponthe sail in such acute angles that it cannot pack in the sail. In fact,if the sail were, as it should be, absolutely taut, probably no possiblestrain could be brought to bear on it which would break it down..

Another way of laying the new vessel to is to leave fore-and-aft keelsdown, center up, then haul the sail to its cXtreme aftbalance, and swingto a right angle to hcr lines. This holds her eifcctually, but is not socomforta' ble in a single vessel.

'Ihe main object of securing the boom to a revolving platform is to beable to set the sail so as to meet the necessary angle of the wind. Itis obvious that this can be done by having but two stationary timbers inthe mast, the boom being suspended from a common center on the cap to acenter on deck; but in this case the boom can only revolve part wayround, and the mast would require stays fore and aft. I have also trieda center mast so made as to admit the sail to belly, and supported withstays; but I did not find this to answer as well as the way I havepreviously described.

What I claim as new, and desire to secure by Letters Patent, is

l. The combination of a mast composed of four timbers with a platformwhich revolves in or on the deck of the vessel, and with a cap whichunites the tops of the four timbers, substantially as set forth.

2. The combination of the boom of a sail with a guide secured on aplatform revolving in or on the deck of the vessel, either the boom orthe platform being movable fore and aft, substantially as described.

3. The combination of a curved boom and a suitable guide with a halyardsuspended from the cap of the mast B, substantially as set forth.

4. The arrangement of a groove in the mainboom, for the reception of theboom of an outrigged aftsail, substantially as described.

5. Ihe combination of a sheer-boom with the main `boom, constructed andoperating substantially as set forth.

In testimony that I claim the foregoing I have hereunto set my hand this7th day of November, 187i.

JosEPH w. Noncnoss.

Witnesses:

SAML. JENNIsoN, ALFRED T. PERRY.

